Hong Kong: Australia’s women’s quest to bring home the Hong Kong Sevens has fallen just short, with arch-rivals New Zealand edging their trans-Tasman rivals 26-19 in a gripping contest at Kai Tak Stadium on Sunday evening.
Jorja Miller once again proved to be Australia’s nemesis.
The 21-year-old looked like being the villain, but in the end the New Zealand weapon in the middle proved to be the hero for the Black Ferns.
After the blonde-haired darling of New Zealand rugby was sent to the sin bin for a dangerous lifting tackle on Faith Nathan, Miller responded with vengeance.
She made the crucial turnover when the score was locked at 12-12, before ghosting past a couple of defenders to score twice.
“Gosh, I had to put the girls through two and a half minutes of work, so I felt like I had to do my little bit to help us get back on top,” Miller told reporters. “So, it was nice.
“I mean, the card’s never good, but especially in a final and especially against the Aussies. But, man, we’ve done heaps of work at home and I knew that the girls would come out.
Jorja Miller starred for New Zealand in their win over Australia at the Hong Kong Sevens. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
“We had six on there, we had to work hard, but to go into that halftime 12-12, we knew that we could work hard in the second half and come back.”
So who buys the beers tonight, then?
“No one, unfortunately, with Singapore next weekend,” Miller said.
“But I know for sure the likes of Gossy (Sarah Hirini) are going to make me pay my whole pay check into the team account because of two yellow cards this weekend. But, nah, it’s all good fun.”
The win moved New Zealand (96) eight points clear of Australia on the World Series standings ahead of next week’s season finale in Singapore.
While most Australians have become sick of watching New Zealanders win games of rugby, Tim Walsh’s side have nothing but admiration for their trans-Tasman rivals.
“No, I love playing the Kiwis,” said Maddison Levi, who scored 14 tries across the weekend including a double in the final.
“I guess we both have such a high skilled game, so when we verse each other, you get better as a team.
“I know they love playing us and we love playing them just to keep growing our games. And obviously watching them, they’ve been such a successful for so many years and credit to them.”
But you hate them, right?
“No, not really,” Levi insisted. “I’m a pretty loving girl.”
New Zealand’s women and Argentina’s men celebrate after taking out the 2025 Hong Kong Sevens at Kai Tak Stadium. (Photo by Sean Chiu/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Levi, who missed the Vancouver leg of the World Series tournament because of a thumb injury, said she was thrilled to be back on the field.
“I think for me I was just happy to last the six games this time,” said Levi, who overtook Charlotte Caslick by becoming Australia’s greatest tryscorer and will likely crack 200 five-pointers next weekend.
“Obviously, first tournament back, so you do feel like a bit of a shock to the system, but I couldn’t be more proud of the girls.
“We’re a young team, we’re developing, and to make it through our pool game, and then to put out that display, I know we lost, but there’s so much to learn from it.
“The beauty is we get to go again next week at Singapore and hopefully start knocking down those wins.”
Walsh added: “We are never happy after a loss but as far as losses go, this one won’t keep me up worrying. The performance from this team against the odds was excellent.
“We won’t brush over our review by any means, it is in the detail where we won games and where we were beaten by New Zealand.
“Many players levelled up their game and what they will take away from the experience will drive the team to a higher level.”
Meanwhile, Australia’s men’s team finished third after beating Fiji.
Teenager Sid Harvey scored out wide to seal the 22-21 win.
Earlier, Australia was smashed in their semi-final by Argentina, who were too good for France in a tight-tussle.
Christy Doran travelled to the Hong Kong Sevens thanks to the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Cathay Pacific and The Langham.
